Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 100367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Everyone except my baby sister, that is.
They’re so soft and precious, and I spend time with each one, making sure there are no injuries or illnesses.
“You all look as healthy as can be.” I nuzzle the little calico with my cheek, and she lets out the tiniest meow, melting my heart. “You’re going to be Ivy’s. You’re going to love her. I’ll take your picture for her.”
I pull my phone out of my back pocket and snap some photos of the kitten, then return her to the box with her siblings and send the text to my friend.
With that finished, I walk out of the stall with the intent of going to the paddock to see to the horses, but movement on the other side of the barn where the equipment is catches my eye, and when I see Tucker walk around the corner, my heart leaps.
And then my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth because Tucker Hendrix is shirtless. He’s a little sweaty and clad only in his blue jeans, and my ovaries just swooned. He’s holding his phone, and I see that he’s looking at the video feed of the barn, so he knew that I came in.
“Fuck, you’re a sight for sore eyes.”
The next thing I know, I’m in his arms and he’s kissing me like he’s starving and I’m a buffet.
My hands plunge in his hair, holding on as he ravages my mouth, and then he kisses down my jawline to my neck. His arms are wrapped around me, holding me close.
“Missed the hell out of you, Duchess,” he murmurs against my skin. His grip feels almost desperate, and I pull back far enough just to see his handsome face.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m exhausted, there’s a cat killing my beef, and I haven’t seen you in days. Cute notes and muffins aren’t doing it for me anymore.”
I huff out a chuckle and kiss his chin. “Thanks for all of the food. You’re so damn good to me, Tucker.”
“Bare minimum,” he insists and brushes a strand of my hair back behind my ear. “How are you?”
“I had a nap, and I got to play in the garden, so I’m doing great. But damn, I miss you.”
His green eyes dip to my lips. “I have time.”
“How much time?”
He doesn’t even bother to check his watch. He just corners me back against the wheel well of the tractor and resumes kissing down my neck to my collarbones.
“I have enough time to make you come,” he growls against my skin. “Jesus, you’re in the sexiest fucking outfit, baby.”
“It’s just—”
“Tiny little shorts,” he interrupts, his hand drifting up my thigh and under the hemline at my ass, giving me tingles. “Tight little tank top, showing off your spectacular tits.”
“My tits are spectacular?”
“They should come with a warning label.”
He’s so damn fun.
“What would it say?”
“Warning: Will make you come in your pants in three seconds.”
My eyes widen. “Did you come in your pants?”
“I love your sassy mouth,” he growls as his lips come up to mine again, and I sink into the kiss as his hands do delicious things to my skin.
But just when he grinds his hard cock against me, his phone rings.
“Fuck.” He leans his forehead against mine and we both sigh in resignation. “I have to go.”
“It’s okay.”
“It’s not fucking okay. I miss you.”
“I should be around through tonight, as long as—”
“Don’t even say it. If we don’t voice it, it won’t happen.” His eyes bounce over my face as if he’s memorizing me, and then he hugs me close and kisses the top of my head. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Be careful.”
His knuckles drift down my cheek, and then he’s off, pulling on a clean T-shirt—no idea where that came from—and striding quickly away, and I huff out a breath.
At least I got to see him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
TUCKER
T-
In case you’re hungry when you get home, there is chicken salad in the fridge and crackers in the pantry. You need protein! I did a ton of baking this afternoon, so take your pick from that, too. I’m upstairs. Didn’t get called out! But so, so tired. This morning’s nap has long dissipated, and I need to crash.
xo,
D
My beautiful girl is upstairs in our bed, and I get to crawl in with her for the first time in more than a week. Fuck protein, I need her.
But first, I need to shower this day away. We finally caught the lion and her babies, and the authorities have relocated her to Glacier National Park, where they can safely hunt all they want. But she was squirrely and difficult, and managed to kill one more of my cattle before we finally trapped her and the babies. It’s been a long fucking week.
After turning off the lights downstairs, I make my way up to the bedroom, and there she is, sleeping soundly in our bed. My heart catches at the sight of her sweet face, her dark hair spread out behind her. Her face is buried in my pillow, and she’s hugging it to her, as if it’s a substitute for me. As if she’s trying to find the last remnants of my scent there.